Peru Travel Guide

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Church of San Fransisco - Lima

Kyle Stashuk

Those who love french-fries with their burgers should be thrilled to learn that the potato originated in Peru. The mighty Incas cultivated potatoes in the high altitude of the Andes Mountains. There are over 5,000 registered varieties of potatoes in Peru, being only one reflection of its mega-diversity. Peru, the land of the Incas, awaits travelers with a world of adventure and excitement.

The perfectly fitted stones of this glorious empire continue to be the main attraction to people from all over the world. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas rediscovered centuries after the last Conquistador left, remains a web of riddles for the adventurer and the scientist to tackle. The Nazca lines -- what were they -- UFO landing sites or a pathway to the heavens and the gods?

History buffs are not the only folks who will enjoy Peru. Of late, thousands of people have dared visit the still largely unexplored Amazon Rainforest (selva) in search of cures for the world's illnesses by tapping into the knowledge of shamans (medicine men) who may hold the secret to help defeat the incurable.

An adventurer can have a reasonably comfortable trip to the deeps of the jungle in Iquitos, starting at the seaside, crossing the Andes Mountains, and slowly making his or her way down the other side into the selva. As Iquitos isn't reachable by road, the last two days will be spent on an Amazon cruise boat. But those who want to get to the selva quickly need only fly one of the modern airlines that serves Iquitos and Tarapoto with daily flights from Lima. Despite being visited by almost 1.5 million foreigners each year, there is always a place off the beaten track where the gringo tourist will be the main attraction for the locals.

On the way to the low jungle in the Amazon Basin, some tourists will find that the high jungle plateau is a good place as either a stopover or a destination -- especially since it can tend to have a slightly lower humidity level than the low jungle areas. Tarapoto is the most important city in the area, and it is the commercial trade center for the District of San Martin. Tourists aren't crowded into Tarapoto, Moyobamba and surrounding communities as might be found in some other locales in Peru, but they are generally treated very well by the locals who welcome their business.

Even the not-so-adventurous can enjoy Peru. Although still considered a developing country, Peru has made progress in improving its infractructure in some areas. Five-star hotels, excellent restaurants, and vibrant nightlife will dazzle those who are looking to be dazzled. Peru is an exciting land, rich in history and culture, waiting to be explored. Readers can click below on any city to obtain information and tips to make their trip a delightful experience.

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru.
It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, on a coast
overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It forms a contiguous urban area with the
seaport of Callao. Lima is the 5th–largest city in Latin America, behind São
Paulo, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro.

It was baptized as the City of Kings on
January 15, 1535, but it was more a seat of viceroys, nobles and
down-on-their-luck aristocrats, who arrived in this land attracted by news of
the inexhaustible gold of the Incas. Emulating the opulence and splendor of the
Spanish courts, they made the ancient capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru into
the center of Hispanic influence in South America.

But Lima does not stick to formality, it
prefers to dress for a party in October, and then it does not wear the
patriotic red-and-white of the Peruvian flag. But it prefers a purple that is
both mystical and happy, that expresses the enduring fervor with which the city
gives itself over each year to the venerated Lord of Miracles, a humble and
dark-skinned Christ, an ancestral cult that reflects the many-faceted humanity
of a young country that finds in the old residence of the conquistador
Francisco Pizarro a fundamental axis for the constant forging of the complex
Peruvian nationality.

Lima dresses up in October and the city turns
out gaily in a show of faith that mixes pagan and sacred rituals, and the multitudinous
procession of the Lord of Miracles lives alongside the traditional Fair of the
Lord of Miracles, that revives the deeply-rooted passion of the Limeans for the
savage fiesta.

Oxapampa: in the top center of Peru, between the Andes and the Jungle : host region of the wildest cultural festival of Peru

Festival Selvámonos, June 2013 28/29th

Here’s something for you
folks: if you’re volunteering or backpacking in Peru in June, check out the
upcoming Selvámonos Festival in Oxapampa. The main event will take place on
June 28 th and 29th, preceded by various cultural bits and pieces
starting on June 24th.

The Selvámonos
Festival, Peru: June 28/29th

The Selvámonos week starts
on June 24th, with a range of free cultural events taking place each day until
June 29th. It includes theatrical presentations, an Opera concert in the local
church, an outdoor Cinema and paintings exhibitions.

Add to that the distinct
culture of Oxapampa and its incredible rain forest landscape, and you have
reason enough to head to the very center of Peru for a week of partying.

The main draw, however, is the
alternative music festival on June 28 th and 29th. This will be the
fifth installment of the Selvámonos festival, with more than 15,000 party-goers
having attended the four previous events.

The music will be an
interesting mix of Latin rhythms and modern beats, played by bands with notably
colorful names like Cumbia All Stars, Onda Vaga, Luis Rueda, Dengue Dengue
Dengue and many others.

So guys you got it ?
SAVE THE DATE!

Selvámonos 2013,
Oxapampa, Peru: Further Info

Oxapampa is a very nice and
pleasant valley just one night bus from Lima. You can find there free camping
places as well as cheap and comfortable hotels.

You can find more
information about the Selvámonos Festival in Oxapampa, Peru, on the following
website: http://www.selvamonos.org
or on the Facebook page of the Festival: Festival Selvamonos

Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://www.selvamonos.org/